Assistance with the College Financial Aid Process Available to North Dakotans

BISMARCK, N.D. - Resources are available to North Dakota students and parents who need assistance with applying for college financial aid.

"The process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - more commonly known as the FAFSA - can be simplified with assistance from some of the financial aid experts in our state," said Bill Goetz, chancellor of the North Dakota University System. "It's important to get the word out and let North Dakotans know about some of the resources available to them. March 15 is the deadline for priority consideration for some forms of financial aid, so the time to begin the application process is ‘sooner rather than later.'"

Events where students and parents can obtain information about completing the FAFSA include:

Student and Parent Night Financial Aid Seminars: These sessions are being held at high schools throughout the state and are sponsored by the North Dakota Association of Student Financial Aid Directors. Specific dates and locations are available through local high school counselors.

ND-CAN College Within Your Reach Conference: On Feb. 9 and 10, 2010, this Bismarck event will focus on increasing college access. Students, parents and counselors and encouraged to attend. Among other topics, the FAFSA process will be discussed. For more information or to register, go to: bismarckstate.edu/ceti/ndcan/

College Goal Sunday: This free event will be held in 11 cities throughout the state Feb. 21, 2010, including Belcourt, Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, Fort Totten, Fort Yates, Grafton, Grand Forks, Minot, New Town and Williston. The event is structured to allow participants to complete the FAFSA in just one hour with assistance from local financial aid professionals. For more specific times and locations, go to: collegegoalnd.org